Big issue-The role of the vendor and their practice:

How do you become a big issues vendor?

• Be over the age of 18+ • Follow the big issues vendor agreement • Basic level of English

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Vendor services:

The big issue supports vendors to achieve a position of financial stability through their magazine sales whilst working with them to address housing, poor health, addiction and other symptoms of poverty and social exclusion that have previously held them back.

They engage vendors in a variety of settings – from purchasing magazines at the office, to catching up on their pitches during outreach, to discussing support needs during pre-arranged appointments – and work under their direction; providing jargon free information to navigate and connect with health, housing and other specialist support services.

Financial Inclusion:

Sales skills

Sales progression

Sales maximisation

Card readers

All of this are additional support to help vendors increase income.

Social Inclusion:

Housing

Financial capability

Health and wellbeing

ID

Education and training

Employment opportunities

This are goals to increase equality and create opportunity.

Other ways they support vendors:

Vendor Support Fund: The fund enables Big Issue vendors to achieve employment, training and other personal aspirations which require financial support. Vendors are helped to identify goals and aspirations and assisted to complete an application form.

Vendor expectations:

Everyone selling the magazine has to work according to the big issue's north Vendor Expectations, a set of rules governing how vendors work.

1. Vendors can only sell on designated pitches.

2. Vendors cannot sell between 8pm and 7am (or 6pm and 7am in Liverpool).

3. Vendors must carry their own badge at all times.

4. Vendors must not use physical or verbal aggression towards members of the public or other vendors.

5. Vendors are not allowed to sell if staff feel they are unfit to do so.

6. Vendors must stand when selling if they are able to do so.

7. Vendors must not beg for money using the magazine (asking for spare change or other items is considered to be begging).

8. Vendors can only charge the cover price (£3) for each magazine and must always give the customer the magazine once paid for.